Coupling of electrodynamic fields to vibrational modes in helical structures

Helical structures like alpha helices, DNA, and microtubules have profound importance in biology. It has been suggested that these periodic arrangements of constituent units could support collective excitations similarly to crystalline solids. Here, we examine the interaction between such constructs oscillating dipoles, evaluate role helicity coupling electrodynamic fields vibrations. Based on vibrational eigenfunction analyses identify a group modes coherent oscillations give rise strong delocalized response, selectivity frequency, typical range. To describe field scattering due structure vibrations consider an anisotropic permittivity with helical periodicity, which applies all vibration types close dipole locations. The type resonances identified here may help explain diverse functionality cytoskeletal cellular environment.